Philadelphia Naval Base Chapel, "Christ the Carpenter" World War II Portable Altarpiece
During World War II, the Citizens Committee of the Army and Navy commissioned artists to design portable altarpieces to be used in military chapels on land and sea. Composed of metal or wood, they were in the form of triptychs that could be easily transported and stored when not in use. The artists received an honorarium of $200 to $300 dollars for their labor. Twenty-four altarpieces made by Violet Oakley between 1941 and 1946 have been identified but only a few have been located. The most impressive altarpiece was the monumental Christ the Carpenter for the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The shipyard and naval base was working around the clock to produce the boats and submarines for the war. Oakley made many fine studies for the primary image of Jesus building a boat and the two figures flanking him. Christ is a strong young man in a tunic at a workbench bearing lumber on his shoulder that foreshadows his carrying of the cross. Oakley assumed her altarpiece would become permanent, but its current location is unknown.
Works in Woodmere's Collection
Study for Christ, "Christ the Carpenter" World War II portable altarpiece, for Philadelphia Naval Base Chapel
Altarpieces
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Study for Christ, "Christ the Carpenter" World War II portable altarpiece, for Philadelphia Naval Base Chapel
Altarpieces
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Composition study for "Christ the Carpenter" World War II portable altarpiece, for Philadelphia Naval Base Chapel
Altarpieces
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Study for water maiden, "Christ the Carpenter" World War II portable altarpiece, for Philadelphia Naval Base Chapel
Altarpieces
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Study for two doves, "Christ the Carpenter" World War II portable altarpiece, for Philadelphia Naval Base Chapel
Altarpieces
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Study for water maiden, "Christ the Carpenter" World War II portable altarpiece, for Philadelphia Naval Base Chapel
Altarpieces
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Study for Christ, "Christ the Carpenter" World War II portable altarpiece, for Philadelphia Naval Base Chapel
Altarpieces
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Study for Christ Building the Ship, "Christ the Carpenter" World War II portable altarpiece, for Philadelphia Naval Base Chapel
Altarpieces
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Composition study for "Christ the Carpenter" World War II portable altarpiece, for Philadelphia Naval Base Chapel
Altarpieces
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Study for Christ, center panel, "Christ the Carpenter" World War II portable altarpiece, for Philadelphia Naval Base Chapel
Altarpieces
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Study for Christ, "Christ the Carpenter" World War II portable altarpiece, for Philadelphia Naval Base Chapel
Altarpieces
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